UEFA welcomes FIFA's withdrawal of World Cup investment plan, demands accountability

FIFA has retreated from its contentious plan to sell stakes in its major tournaments, including the World Cup, to private investors after facing a strong backlash from football federations and confederations worldwide. UEFA welcomed the withdrawal, hailing it as a victory for football while simultaneously calling for accountability regarding the proposal's secretive and rushed nature.

UEFA issued a statement expressing its satisfaction with FIFA's decision, noting that the proposal was unanimously rejected by UEFA's member national associations and many other global football bodies. The organization thanked fans, leagues, clubs, players, and officials who opposed the plan, as well as political leaders and commentators who made it clear that "football is not for sale."

"We cannot continue like this, with secret plans promoted on tight timelines, by unknown individuals and with dubious benefit for the sport. We must identify those responsible and hold them accountable," UEFA stated. The European governing body emphasized that the current FIFA leadership has lost its trust, along with that of many other members of the football family.

UEFA announced its intention to collaborate with its member associations and other confederations in the coming days and weeks. The goal is to thoroughly examine how this situation arose and to develop a plan that ensures such an event does not happen again. The organization stressed that this assessment must be comprehensive and consider all options.

UEFA also recalled FIFA President Gianni Infantino's 2016 election promises of transparency and ensuring FIFA's funds belong to its members, not the president. The current proposal, pushed through behind closed doors with questionable transparency and rushed procedures, is seen as a betrayal of those commitments. With FIFA's reserves exceeding $5 billion, UEFA advocates for these funds to be used for the benefit and development of football, proposing a new distribution method through the existing FIFA Forward program.